More Than “A Black Dog”: Investigating the Use of Depression Conceptual Metaphors in the SANE Community

This study delves into the conceptual metaphors of depression used in the SANE UK community by both psychiatric professionals and patients who suffer from depressive disorder. By constructing a corpus of news, comments, and blogs in SANE and following the MIPVU procedure, this study discovers significant differences between the two groups regarding the use of depression metaphors. The results show that professionals apply depression metaphors with more rationality, whereas patients commonly use them to express deep emotions related to the disorder. In addition, the study reveals that metaphors conveying either positive or negative themes may contribute to the establishment of a constructive and supportive community. The major implication of this study lies in that mutual online interaction should be encouraged between professionals and patients.